Anilogics Crush Pro clover blend: what it is, how to plant it

Last updated 2026-07-25

what is Anilogics Crush Pro clover blend

Crush Pro is a commercial food plot seed product sold under the Anilogics brand, built around perennial clover varieties (typically ladino white clover and red clover types, sometimes with chicory added for drought tolerance and mineral content). It's marketed as a low-maintenance, high-protein perennial plot option rather than an annual attractant. Like most branded clover blends, the exact cultivar mix isn't always published in detail on the bag, and the company doesn't file the kind of public variety trial data that university extension programs do. That's normal for the food plot seed industry, most blends are proprietary mixes of named or unnamed clover varieties. What you can verify independently is how clover in general performs, because land-grant universities have run clover variety trials for decades. If you're comparing Crush Pro against other clover products, focus on what matters agronomically: seeding rate, whether it's coated (added weight and fungicide/rhizobia inoculant), and whether the blend is straight clover or a clover-chicory-grass mix. Chicory adds a taproot that survives drought better than clover alone and delivers strong crude protein numbers, university forage testing has shown chicory routinely testing in the high teens to low 20s percent crude protein depending on cutting and maturity ^[1]. For a broader look at how clover-based products compare to other seed categories, see food plot seed and deer food plot seed.

do deer like clover

Yes. Clover is consistently ranked among the top preferred forages in deer diet studies and food plot trials. It's palatable, digestible, and available across a long growing season compared to many annuals. Research on white-tailed deer forage selection has repeatedly shown clover species scoring high in preference trials, often near the top alongside soybeans and certain brassicas depending on season ^[2]. Clover also has an advantage annuals don't: once established, a good perennial clover stand can produce forage for three to five years with proper mowing and fertilization, cutting your replanting labor way down. Crude protein in quality white clover stands commonly runs 25 to 30 percent in vegetative growth stages, which is well above what most native browse offers during summer stress periods ^[3]. That's a real number worth remembering: whitetail research generally puts optimal dietary protein needs for antler growth and lactation in the 14 to 20 percent range, so a thriving clover plot comfortably covers that requirement on its own ^[4].

when to plant clover food plots for deer

North (3-5)	mid-April to late May	early to mid-August
Transition (6-7)	March to April	August to early September
South (8-9)	not recommended (heat stress)	September to October	Regardless of zone, clover seed is tiny and needs good seed-to-soil contact, not deep burial. A quarter inch of coverage is plenty; anything deeper and germination drops fast. Many growers cultipack before and after broadcasting for exactly this reason.

Clover establishes best in either early spring or late summer, depending on your zone, and needs soil temperatures reliably above 50 degrees F for good germination. In the North (roughly USDA zones 3-5), plant clover from mid-April through May once frost risk has mostly passed, or in early-to-mid August for a fall-establishing stand. In the transition zone (zones 6-7), you get a wider window: March through April in spring, or August into early September in late summer. In the Deep South (zones 8-9), fall planting (September through October) tends to work better than spring because summer heat and drought stress young clover hard before it roots deeply. Here's a rough planting calendar by region: | Zone | Spring window | Late-summer/fall window |

when to plant food plots for deer in general

Timing depends entirely on what you're planting: perennial clover and chicory go in spring or late summer, brassicas and cereal grains go in late summer through early fall, and warm-season annuals like soybeans or cowpeas go in late spring after soil warms. A practical rule extension agronomists use: work backward from your first expected hard frost. Brassicas like turnips need roughly 80 to 90 days to reach full bulb maturity and taste best after a few frosts sweeten the sugars, so most of the Midwest and upper South plant them from late July through August. Cereal grains like oats and winter wheat are more forgiving and can go in later, into September in many areas, because they're grazed young rather than grown to maturity. The single biggest planting mistake extension specialists flag isn't timing exactly, it's skipping the soil test. Extension soil testing programs note that lime takes months to fully react in soil, so testing and applying lime well ahead of planting (ideally the prior season) matters more than nailing the calendar date within a week or two.

when to plant oats for deer

Plant oats in late summer to early fall, generally 60 to 90 days before your first expected hard frost, so they're in a vegetative, highly palatable stage when deer season opens. For most of the whitetail's range, that means an August to mid-September planting window. Oats germinate fast (often within a week in warm soil) and put on rapid leaf growth, which is exactly what makes them attractive: deer key in on tender young grain forage. Oats aren't very cold-hardy compared to winter wheat or rye, so in northern zones a hard freeze can end the plot's usefulness earlier in the season, something to plan around if you're hunting late in a cold-climate zone. Oats are also commonly blended into clover establishment plots as a nurse crop, the oats germinate fast and give some early cover and forage while the slower clover seedlings get established underneath.

when to plant turnips for deer

Turnips go in the ground roughly 80 to 90 days before your area's first hard frost, which for most of the whitetail's range lands in late July through August. Turnips need that lead time to bulb out. Deer often ignore turnip tops and bulbs early in the season and switch hard to them after a few frosts convert starches to sugars, a well-documented pattern extension forage programs describe in brassica planting guides. That's why turnip plots frequently look untouched in October and then get hammered in December, it's not that deer suddenly found the plot, it's that the frozen turnips finally taste good. Seeding rate matters here too: turnips are typically drilled or broadcast at 4 to 6 pounds per acre, and going heavier doesn't necessarily help, overcrowded turnips produce smaller bulbs and more competition.

what is a food plot

A food plot is a planted area, usually somewhere between a quarter acre and several acres, established specifically to grow forage that attracts and feeds deer or other wildlife on a property. Food plots serve two overlapping purposes: supplemental nutrition (helping deer meet protein and mineral needs, especially during antler growth and lactation) and hunting access (drawing deer to a location where a stand or blind gives a good, ethical shot opportunity). They range from small hidden "kill plots" tucked in timber, often under an acre, to large agricultural-style fields planted in soybeans or corn covering several acres. State wildlife agencies regulate food plots differently from baiting or supplemental feeding piles. In most states, a planted, rooted food plot is legal to hunt over even where baiting (placing loose grain, salt, or minerals) is restricted or banned, but the rules vary a lot by state and you should check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before hunting near any plot, especially if you're also using minerals or supplemental feed nearby. For a broader primer on plot types and planning, see food plot whitetail and deer food plots.

what are deer's favorite foods

Deer diet studies consistently show a preference hierarchy that shifts by season, but across food plot species specifically, soybeans, clover, and certain brassicas rank at the top in most regional trials. Native forage matters too, and often more than food plots do in raw tonnage. Acorns are a heavyweight preferred food in fall wherever oaks are present; white oak acorns in particular are lower in tannins and more palatable than red oak acorns, and deer will often clean out a white oak drop before touching a plot ^[5]. Outside of mast years, agricultural crops (soybeans, corn) and cultivated legumes and brassicas fill the gap. No single "favorite food" claim holds up across every region and season; a deer's diet in Georgia pine country looks nothing like one in Iowa corn country. What is consistent: high-protein, high-digestibility forages (clover, soybeans, alfalfa) get hit hard during spring green-up and summer growth, while high-carb, high-energy foods (acorns, corn, brassica bulbs) get prioritized heading into and through winter.

do deer eat sorghum

Yes, deer will eat sorghum, particularly the grain heads once they mature, but it's used more often as a cover crop, screening plant, or wildlife food plot component for upland birds and turkey than as a primary deer attractant. Grain sorghum (milo) is drought-tolerant and often planted in food plot blends as a companion to soybeans or as a standalone summer annual in hot, dry regions where corn struggles. Deer will browse young sorghum shoots and eat the mature grain, but it generally isn't a top preference forage compared to soybeans or clover in side-by-side preference studies. Where sorghum earns its place in food plot rotations is as a tall screening crop that also happens to produce some deer food, and as forage for other wildlife species using the same plot.

do deer like honey

There's no real evidence deer seek out honey as a natural food source, and it isn't a practical or recommended food plot or attractant strategy. Deer are herbivores built around a rumen digestive system suited to browse, forbs, and grasses, not the concentrated sugar of honey. Some hunters have used sweet liquid attractants historically, but most states regulate or ban baiting and supplemental feeding with any placed substance, including sugary or scented attractants, separately from planted food plots. If you're wondering whether spraying or pouring something sweet near a stand counts as baiting under your state's law, check your state wildlife agency's regulations directly, because the definition of "bait" varies (some states include any placed food, mineral, or attractant substance, others define it more narrowly). A planted clover or brassica plot is the legal, agronomically sound path; honey isn't a food plot input.

how do you get soil right before planting a clover blend like Crush Pro

Clover is more sensitive to soil pH than most food plot species, and getting lime and fertility right before planting matters more than which specific clover blend you buy. Most university extension guides recommend a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for clover establishment, with legume inoculation (rhizobia bacteria that fix nitrogen) either pre-applied on coated seed or added separately if you're planting raw seed . Below pH 6.0, aluminum and manganese toxicity can start limiting root development and nitrogen fixation efficiency drops, which is a big reason clover plots planted on untested, acidic soil often struggle even when rainfall and sunlight are fine. The only way to know your starting point is a soil test through your local extension office or a private ag lab, run several weeks to a few months before your planting date so lime has time to react (lime is slow, it can take 6 months or more to fully adjust pH depending on soil type and lime quality). Your soil test lab is the authority on your specific lime and fertilizer rates; a food plot plan can point you toward realistic species choices and timing, but it isn't a substitute for site-specific lab results. If you want a structured starting point that turns a soil test and your zone into an actual seed and fertilizer plan, that's exactly the gap a Custom Food Plot Plan from PlotSeason is built to fill, a $99 one-time plan based on your soil test, region, and goals rather than a generic bag label.

how does a clover blend like Crush Pro compare to annual food plot mixes

Stand life	3-5 years with maintenance	1 season
Best season of attraction	Spring through fall	Late summer through winter (brassicas), summer (soybeans)
Maintenance	Mowing, spot spraying, annual fertilizer	Full replant each year
Upfront cost	Higher (lime, inoculant, establishment)	Lower per planting, repeats yearly
Drought tolerance	Moderate, better with chicory added	Variable by species	Many experienced plot managers run clover as the backbone plot for spring and summer nutrition, then rotate a smaller acreage into brassicas or cereal grains each fall specifically timed to hunting season. That combination covers the protein-demand months and the hunting-season attraction months without betting everything on one species.

Perennial clover blends and annual mixes solve different problems, and most well-planned properties run both rather than picking one. A clover stand costs more time and money upfront (soil prep, lime, inoculated seed, a mower for maintenance) but pays that back over three to five years of forage without replanting. Annuals like brassicas, oats, or soybeans cost less per planting but need fresh seed, fresh tillage or drilling, and fresh fertilizer every single year. | Factor | Perennial clover blend | Annual mix (brassica/oats/soybean) |

Frequently asked questions

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer eat sorghum, especially the mature grain heads, but it's more commonly used as a drought-tolerant cover crop or companion planting than a primary deer attractant. Soybeans and clover typically outperform sorghum in direct preference comparisons.

Do deer eat clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most consistently preferred deer forages in published food plot and diet studies, often ranking near the top alongside soybeans. Quality white clover stands can run 25-30% crude protein in vegetative growth, well above most native browse.

When should you plant deer food plots?

It depends on species. Perennial clover and chicory go in spring or late summer depending on zone. Brassicas like turnips need planting 80-90 days before first frost. Cereal grains like oats go in late summer to early fall, roughly 60-90 days before frost.

Do deer like clover more than other food plot options?

Clover consistently ranks high in deer preference research, often at or near the top alongside soybeans, though brassicas can outrank it after frost sweetens their sugars in late fall. Preference shifts by season, so no single species wins year-round.

When should you plant oats for deer?

Plant oats roughly 60-90 days before your area's first hard frost, generally August through mid-September for most of the whitetail's range. Oats germinate quickly and are most attractive to deer while young and tender, before a hard freeze knocks them back.

When should you plant food plots for deer overall?

Work backward from your first expected hard frost and match timing to species: clover in spring or late summer, brassicas 80-90 days pre-frost, oats 60-90 days pre-frost, and warm-season annuals like soybeans after soil warms in late spring.

When should you plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips 80-90 days before your area's expected first hard frost, generally late July through August for most whitetail range. Turnips need frost exposure to convert starches to sugars, which is why deer often ignore them early and hit them hard in December.

What is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted area, from a fraction of an acre to several acres, established to grow forage that feeds and attracts deer or other wildlife on a property. Plots serve both a nutrition role and a hunting access role.

What are deer's favorite foods?

It varies by season and region, but soybeans, clover, and certain brassicas rank consistently high in food plot preference studies, while acorns (especially white oak) are a heavyweight preferred natural food wherever oaks are present in fall.

Do deer like honey?

There's no real evidence deer seek out honey as a food source; they're herbivores built for browse and forbs, not concentrated sugar. Honey isn't a practical food plot or attractant strategy, and sweet placed attractants may fall under state baiting regulations.

What is in Anilogics Crush Pro clover blend?

Crush Pro is marketed as a perennial clover-based blend, typically built around ladino and red clover types, sometimes with chicory added for drought tolerance and extra crude protein. The company doesn't publish full cultivar-level detail on the label, which is typical for branded food plot seed.

How long does a clover food plot last before replanting?

A well-maintained perennial clover stand, mowed periodically and fertilized based on annual soil tests, commonly produces good forage for 3 to 5 years before it needs to be reestablished. Stand life shortens with poor drainage, heavy weed pressure, or skipped maintenance.

What soil pH does clover need for a food plot?

Most university extension guides recommend a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 for clover establishment. Below pH 6.0, nitrogen fixation efficiency drops and aluminum/manganese toxicity can limit root growth, so lime correction based on a soil test matters before planting.

Is it legal to hunt over a food plot?

In most states, a planted, rooted food plot is legal to hunt over even where baiting with loose grain or minerals is restricted, but rules vary significantly by state. Always check your state wildlife agency's current baiting and feeding regulations before hunting near any plot or mineral site.

Sources

1. Kallenbach, R.L., "Forage Chicory," University of Missouri Extension, G4646: Chicory tests high in crude protein and offers drought tolerance as a food plot forage component
2. Rogers, C.A. et al., "Nutritional Ecology of White-Tailed Deer," Mississippi State University Extension, Publication 2751: Clover ranks consistently high in deer forage preference and quality assessments
3. Ball, D.M., Hoveland, C.S., and Lacefield, G.D., "Southern Forages," 4th ed., 2007 (Oklahoma State University Extension archived PDF): White clover stands commonly test 25-30% crude protein in vegetative growth
4. French, C.E. et al., "Nutritional Requirements for Growth and Antler Development in the White-Tailed Deer," Journal of Wildlife Management, 1956, DOI 10.2307/3797364: Optimal dietary protein for antler growth and lactation generally falls in the 14-20% range
5. McShea, W.J., "Ecology and Management of White-Tailed Deer in a Changing World," Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2012, PMID 22486427: White oak acorns are lower in tannins and more palatable to deer than red oak acorns
6. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, "Establishing and Managing Clover Pastures," AGR-268: Clover establishment requires soil pH 6.0-7.0 and rhizobia inoculation for nitrogen fixation